Determining the best location for a new or expanding business in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace is challenging. These locations offer a number of advantages when it comes to meeting today’s logistics and supply chain needs.

When a merger required Nature’s Way to consolidate distribution facilities, it called on the services of system supplier The Numina Group for a new design and technologies. Today, the facility successfully distributes products to customers in 50 states, and overseas through five supply chain channels.

Kelvin Miller, an equipment and mobility readiness spare parts allocation supervisor with the military contractor DynCorp International, manages inventory and gets it ready to deploy when the time comes.

A new study determines the top 15 undergraduate and graduate supply chain management programs in the United States, based on the teaching of technology, software, and quantitative tools used by supply chain professionals, as well as the variety and depth of this coursework.

Supply management professionals are increasingly accepting cross-functional cooperation in purchasing, supply management, production and inventory control to optimize overall company performance and increase competitiveness.

New regulations ensuring the integrity of the pharma supply chain are nearing the finish line. While some companies have taken an early lead to compliance, others are late getting out of the gate. Which team are you on?

Challenging weather and a remote location make delivering freight to and from Alaska a complex operation. To simplify operations, many shippers turn to transportation companies and logistics service providers that have the expertise to make sure freight flows smoothly despite the complexities.

Today’s supply chain environment is more complex than ever, and it is important for business partners to work together across the value chain with the intent to maximize the benefit to their customers .

U.S. beef supply chain participants form partnership to improve sustainability; Manufacturers and retailers fail to adopt best-in-class processes and technology to address global complexities; Online retailers need to rethink how they align their distribution networks; Spot market rates dip seasonally as West Coast volumes catch up; Staples and Syracuse University partner to drive new research and innovation.

United States and Canada are investing $7 billion in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system; Changing political relations between the United States and Cuba could signal new trade opportunities; UK faces a truck driver shortage among younger people; Panama approves new port development

North America’s manufacturing sector is on an upward trajectory. However, a shortage of young talent, compounded by Baby Boomers’ negative perceptions about Millennials, could impact its continued expansion, according to ThomasNet’s latest Industry Market Barometer® (IMB) research.

Inclement weather and capacity problems giving your supply chain the winter woes? Chill out! Here are some good reads to keep you up to date on supply chain, logistics, and transportation best practices.

Vendor Managed Inventory is shaking off its old-school image and regaining popularity thanks to improved technology, robust communication, tighter demand signal linkage, and a new openness to collaboration that has turbo-charged enterprise benefits.

A route planning systems can drastically reduce the time it takes to plan your transportation schedule. Other benefits include lower mileage and fuel usage, decreased carbon emissions, and increased customer service.

Texas places three locations among ATRI’s top-10 congested roadways; Truck size and weight debate is a divisive topic for the transportation and logistics industry; Truck driver shortage raises new concerns and costs for shippers and carriers; Electronics supply chain poses new challenges; Demand planning is still a pain point for shippers

Technology is enabling an unprecedented level of transparency and communication to help shippers and their logistics providers understand each other's operations, and collaborate in ways that were much more difficult in the past.

An order management system from DF Young and Superior Technology helps Cintron Beverage Company boost inventory accuracy, fulfill orders easily and quickly, and track products throughout the supply chain.

Jacksonville, Florida’s transportation infrastructure, skilled workforce, and available land makes it an attractive site for businesses siting new locations for logistics services and manufacturing, writes Michael Breen of JAXUSA Partnership.

Online retailers seeking new sites for DCs and warehouses need the transportation infrastructure to support a constant, rapid-fire flow of shipments – plus a capable workforce, affordable utilities, and business incentives to help them get the most from their investment.

The transportation and logistics sector is in the midst of some of its biggest changes since deregulation, and 2013 will play a pivotal role in discerning which companies will rise to the top, writes Chad Eichelberger of Access America Transport.

Whether you want to casually brush up on your supply chain management techniques or drastically reorganize your purchasing processes, you’ll find the knowledge you need in the pages of these supply chain resources.

In a business world defined and dictated by change, supply chain management balances challenges and competitive advantage. Companies large and small are leveraging transportation and logistics best practices to act as great equalizers.

Schwan’s Home Services optimized its distribution network by using a hybrid insourced/outsourced model; and Sun-Maid Growers of California used collaborative distribution to create better economies of scale in its transportation operations.

A well-oiled trading partner network allows one-to-many and many-to-many partners to collaborate and communicate using a single source of truth garnered from real-time information, writes Christopher P. Mazza of IAS.

Supply chain visibility helps flag upcoming supply or demand problems, allowing a company either to take action to prevent disasters or to respond by activating backup plans, writes George W. Prest of Material Handling Industry of America.

By managing supply chain interdependencies and adopting a full view of service and cost, supply chain executives can amplify their organizational scope and heighten their financial contribution to attain the C-designation they deserve, writes Terry Harris, Chicago Consulting.

Pharmaceuticals manufacturers face special supply chain challenges such as temperature control, security, chain of custody, and regulatory compliance, but successful strategies help deal with these issues.

As retailers look to grow their business, the challenge of keeping up with the market becomes exponentially greater—especially as new channels emerge, writes Editor Felecia Stratton. Supply chain management can help create balance between supply and demand.

Protective reusable dunnage can take the place of single- or limited-use corrugated or wood filler to move pallets and products securely in an environmentally conscious manner, writes Paul Fitzgerald of Paylode Cargo Protection Systems.

Many companies, including Kimberly-Clark, Ebro, and USG Corporation, are moving beyond the traditional, transactional shipper-3PL relationship to form collaborative partnerships focused on mutual gain.

New publications on supply chain and logistics topics such as warehousing, sustainability, and procurement help logistics professionals stay sharp. Here are some recent books on supply chain topics of interest.

Companies are increasingly realizing that supply chain must become a core competency. Adding a supply chain control tower and taking on the fourth-party logistics (4PL) role offers them the ability to accelerate collaboration and achieve higher performance levels.

New international supply chain optimization tools are capable of considering all appropriate shipment flows, modes, routes, and cargo to come up with an ideal workable plan – as often as needed and anytime things change.

With proper care and nurturing, you can create a supply chain that performs beautifully – even in the midst of today’s ever-changing business environment, writes Wendy Buxton, LynnCo Supply Chain Solutions.

In strategic supply chain analysis, multiple groups of decision makers may have conflicting interests, since there can be an impact across departments and business units. Aaron Baker of Damco USA offers two global supply chain strategy examples that illustrate the decision makers and decision variables needed to ensure the chosen solution is optimal for the business.

With companies intent on optimizing the supply chain, purchasing managers have emerged as key players in the business plan. To be successful, they need to communicate, collaborate, and venture into new territory.

The variety of cargoes that fly in and out of Alaska—ranging from time-sensitive medical supplies and oil field equipment to perishable seafood—means companies must identify specific shipment needs and align them with asset and service requirements.

Unpredictable consumer habits, the economic downturn, and limited ocean carrier capacity have transformed the traditional peak shipping season. Now shippers are preparing for a new reality: peak season variability.

A combination of factors such as increased competition and global security threats have increased the pressure on companies to improve logistics efficiencies. Page Siplon, executive director, Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, addresses these factors and offers strategies for handling them.

Capable third-party logistics (3PL) providers can help you manage rising logistics costs because they have highly developed processes and critical infrastructures in place, writes Brad Constantini, Comprehensive Logistics.

Colgate took more than four million miles out of its network while handling five percent more cases of product – and even managed to cut logistics costs, sharing the savings with customers and suppliers.

Amazon closes Texas distribution facility over sales tax dispute; Robert Guenther of United Fresh Produce Association comments on FDA Food Safety Modernization Act; U.S. General Services Administration rolls out green guidelines for government suppliers; Crossdocking use is on the rise

U.S. transportation spending lags, according to Transportation Performance Indexes; International air cargo traffic increases; Ocean volumes rise; Large corporations band together to help smaller suppliers sell goods and services to global companies.

Small and mid-sized manufacturers lack the scale to ship in full truckloads, creating thousands of separate, inefficient lines of supply—all moving to the same mass retailers. Collaborative distribution reduces the number of trucks on the road and cuts distribution costs.

Retailers publish routing guides to establish rules for manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to follow when fulfilling and shipping orders. Here are the benefits of establishing a routing guide.

Companies that combine the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra with the supply chain wisdom of managing costs and stamping out inefficiencies are developing reverse supply chains that help the Earth, the customer, and the bottom line.

A route planning systems can drastically reduce the time it takes to plan your transportation schedule. Other benefits include lower mileage and fuel usage, decreased carbon emissions, and increased customer service.

Technology is enabling an unprecedented level of transparency and communication to help shippers and their logistics providers understand each other's operations, and collaborate in ways that were much more difficult in the past.

Kelvin Miller, an equipment and mobility readiness spare parts allocation supervisor with the military contractor DynCorp International, manages inventory and gets it ready to deploy when the time comes.

A new study determines the top 15 undergraduate and graduate supply chain management programs in the United States, based on the teaching of technology, software, and quantitative tools used by supply chain professionals, as well as the variety and depth of this coursework.

Supply management professionals are increasingly accepting cross-functional cooperation in purchasing, supply management, production and inventory control to optimize overall company performance and increase competitiveness.

New regulations ensuring the integrity of the pharma supply chain are nearing the finish line. While some companies have taken an early lead to compliance, others are late getting out of the gate. Which team are you on?

Challenging weather and a remote location make delivering freight to and from Alaska a complex operation. To simplify operations, many shippers turn to transportation companies and logistics service providers that have the expertise to make sure freight flows smoothly despite the complexities.

Inbound Logistics’ annual Logistics Technology Perspectives offers market research to help IT buyers and users make better sense of what’s going on in the industry. And, the Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers list celebrates best-in-class innovators that are helping shippers revolutionize their supply chains.

Today’s supply chain environment is more complex than ever, and it is important for business partners to work together across the value chain with the intent to maximize the benefit to their customers .

U.S. beef supply chain participants form partnership to improve sustainability; Manufacturers and retailers fail to adopt best-in-class processes and technology to address global complexities; Online retailers need to rethink how they align their distribution networks; Spot market rates dip seasonally as West Coast volumes catch up; Staples and Syracuse University partner to drive new research and innovation.

United States and Canada are investing $7 billion in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system; Changing political relations between the United States and Cuba could signal new trade opportunities; UK faces a truck driver shortage among younger people; Panama approves new port development

North America’s manufacturing sector is on an upward trajectory. However, a shortage of young talent, compounded by Baby Boomers’ negative perceptions about Millennials, could impact its continued expansion, according to ThomasNet’s latest Industry Market Barometer® (IMB) research.

Vendor Managed Inventory is shaking off its old-school image and regaining popularity thanks to improved technology, robust communication, tighter demand signal linkage, and a new openness to collaboration that has turbo-charged enterprise benefits.

Inclement weather and capacity problems giving your supply chain the winter woes? Chill out! Here are some good reads to keep you up to date on supply chain, logistics, and transportation best practices.

Texas places three locations among ATRI’s top-10 congested roadways; Truck size and weight debate is a divisive topic for the transportation and logistics industry; Truck driver shortage raises new concerns and costs for shippers and carriers; Electronics supply chain poses new challenges; Demand planning is still a pain point for shippers

Pilot program uses drones to deliver time-sensitive goods; Canadian government lines up two new bilateral trade agreements; Labor rights causing supply chain disruption; Using social media to understand carrier usage.

Cloud-based predictive analytics increasingly available to more companies of all sizes; RFID market set for robust growth by 2020; supply chain risk mitigation should be priority for all companies; key trends driving change for enterprises and government in 2014

Technology management can affect warehouse operations’ connectivity during and after a power outage. Whether the facility’s warehouse management system (WMS) is installed on-site, delivered via a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) program, or hosted in the cloud can have a huge impact on maintaining productivity, writes John Sterling of Foxfire Software.

Producing or purchasing too much inventory leads to waste and carrying costs. Companies can apply the Lean principle of Takt time to ensure the right level of product is on hand to meet customer needs.

The Lean Supply Chain is a system of interconnected and interdependent forces that operate in unison to accomplish overarching supply chain objectives, writes Robert Martichenko of LeanCor Supply Chain Group.

Supply chain visibility helps flag upcoming supply or demand problems, allowing a company either to take action to prevent disasters or to respond by activating backup plans, writes George W. Prest of Material Handling Industry of America.

Multinational corporations are gambling on the Latin American market's growth potential. But meeting the region's supply chain challenges requires an understanding of local markets, strategic planning, and strong partnerships.

Using lean components as a foundation for labor management is a powerful way to increase productivity and reduce costs in a warehouse or distribution center, according to Ryder Supply Chain Solutions’ Jeff Boudreau.

Forward-thinking organizations are pursuing lean assessments to evaluate their supply chain, combined with innovative lean solutions to help them design the future state of their value stream, writes Eric Lail of Transportation Insight.

Retailers can implement technology and processes to increase traceability and gain greater visibility into their supply chain, which helps track and retrieve products in the event of a product recall, writes Brendan Lowe, Aldata Solution.

Distributor United Natural Foods Inc. worked with third-party logistics (3PL) provider Cardinal Logistics to consolidate from a multiple carrier network for its inbound logistics transportation to a dedicated contract carriage arrangement.

When Wells-Gardner Electronics Corporation outsourced its import and export shipping to Geodis Wilson, it reaped numerous supply chain benefits, such as reduced shipping times and improved shipment visibility, as well as avoiding duty and taxes.

Automotive component supplier IAC needed better control, visibility, and reporting to help weld its supply chain into a cohesive unit. ProTrans delivered innovation and customized solutions designed to control costs along IAC’s network.

The use of new technology and tools—such as email, cellphones, and social media—allows shippers to stay involved, from order to final-mile delivery, no matter what the shipment, to create a superior customer service experience.